Aggie lawyers have stepped forward to help with the citations. Has any thought been given to recruiting former-student public relations professionals to put together a positive publicity campaign for next year?

It seems as though you have lots of strengths that remain unexploited. One of them is your professional engineer, who goes by the handle WillD on this forum. It seems as if he has put together a design that negates the danger of a 1999 style collapse. However, your members are always explaining the concept of all logs touching the ground and the stability enhancement devices like the "Whiddle Sticks."

The average citizen who saw pictures of this year's Bonfire probably could not distinguish it from the multi-tier stacks of old.

Could this become the subject of a publicity campaign so that writers like John Lopez don't have to dig out the information by themselves? Would WillD be willing to conduct a dog-and-pony show for the media? Perhaps somebody could build a cut-away model.

Does Will want to stay in the background for professional reasons, or is it part of the Bonfire culture to deemphasize the contributions of former students and other consultants so as not to detract from the student-run nature of the project? Maybe it's time to bring people like him out into the open.

Perhaps it would be better in the long run if the general public doesn't think that such a complex project is being built by undergraduates without expert help.

Another positive enhancement seems to be improved discipline vis-à-vis alcohol and horseplay. When my family visited Hot Rod Hill Saturday night, in the company of another family with their children, we saw nothing that detracted from a wholesome environment. That's quite a change from the Aggie Bonfire of old, where so many people in the crowd were intoxicated.

Events regarding the burn ban are rather unfortunate. They tend to reinforce old stereotypes about bonfire being built by a bunch of rule breakers.

As I see it, there's a lot more discipline in the new ASB than in the 1990s version of Bonfire that used to burn on campus.

If you agree, is there some organized way we can get the news of these improvements out to the general public? The information is available if somebody digs for it, but a public relations professional would know how to run a proper campaign.

unfortunately the press thrives on the things that are going wrong, not the soo many things that they are doing right.

SB has worked with a professional former student PR person since it's first days as Unity Project. Not saying there couldn't be more done on this front but it would be a misconception to think that SB has shunned former students in an effort to keep it current student oriented.

WillD is one of the more visible Bonfire people and I don't think he's hanging back in the shadows at all. This stack design is 3 years old now. Info on the design is readily available and has been written about by the media on several occasions.

From the viewpoint of an ousider looking in, part of the Bonfire culture is: "We can't win with the press because they're all biased against us."

Lopez wasn't.

Perhaps a PR pro can demonstrate how to overcome this perception.

I would say that your impression of outside looking in is not really accurate. The fact is that anyone who's written about bonfire that bothered to contact the participants, or showed up onsite to witness it themselves has generally written great press about Bonfire. It's the articles like the ones in the Batt or the uniformed opinion articles where no one in the organization is contacted that make Bonfire look bad. There may be some apathy towards the press but I don't think there's an us against them kind of attitude at all.

I can't help with PR, and can't even muster together enough dough to donate at this time, but my sister was a Pink Pot and is now a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Expert - or something like that) for the American Cancer Society. She knows non-profit workings, fundraising and Bonfire. Perhaps someone should contact her. Tell her that her older, wiser, more red-ass brother sent you.

Someone contact me at kip1995 at gmail dot com and I'll hand over her info.


[This message has been edited by Kip95 (edited 11/23/2005 8:17a).]

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The average citizen who saw pictures of this year's Bonfire...

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I think that's a major part of the problem: The general public doesn't see it getting built.

The biggest thing SB needs to do is have ONE person who speaks for them. No random interviews in the Woods, no pots who pop off stuff the other pots don't approve of or like.

ONE person, with only one job - STAY ON MESSAGE.

we need a hollywood pot

From the very beginning there was a huge emphasis on this. I would be somewhat surprised if that were not the case anymore, but understandable considering the scale to which this has grown. In 2002 we put about as much effort into manipulating the press as you guys do to build stack now. The climate has changed considerably, but the effort to stay on the media's good side is something that should never go away.

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we need a hollywood pot

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Glitter Finish!!!!

Okay, I suppose you guys have put in a lot more effort in public relations that I have given you credit for. I'd still like to see Will become more visible. When I was at he courthouse Friday night, I remarked to Judge Sims that ASB's engineer had been present. One of the press people, who apparently had heard of him but never met him, wanted to track him down. By that time, I suppose he had gone upstairs to the other courtroom.

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The biggest thing SB needs to do is have ONE person who speaks for them. No random interviews in the Woods, no pots who pop off stuff the other pots don't approve of or like.

ONE person, with only one job - STAY ON MESSAGE.

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Winner winner chicken dinner.


There needs to be ONE student whose sole responsibility is PR and NOTHING ELSE.

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The fact is that anyone who's written about bonfire that bothered to contact the participants, or showed up onsite to witness it themselves has generally written great press about Bonfire. It's the articles like the ones in the Batt or the uniformed opinion articles where no one in the organization is contacted that make Bonfire look bad.

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Ok, here is the problem right here. For the most part, members of the media are pretty lazy when it comes to doing their own research. If an item is controversial or negative, there are PLENTY of people to give them the info they need to write a story. It doesn't matter if the good information is "out there" or readily available. If you want good press coverage, you have to actively WORK at it. Your PR person needs to write detailed and frequent press releases. Invite the media out for photo ops, ask them to participate. A good start is to meet with local media outlets and ask them to participate in the whole process. Asking for "inkind" sponsorships is a good way to get media buy in. If their name is attached, they will help you promote it. I'm not talking about selling out - it doesn't need to be the "KBTX Student Bonfire", but it could be the "Aggie Student Bonfire, generously supported by Aggie 96- join us for a live remote from the build site."

The point is to be active and HAND them the info to write a story from your perspective, not the guy who is vocally opposing you.

I know I had an Eagle Photographer pointing a camera at me when we helped Walton with Load. He seemed excited to be crawling over the trailer with steel-toes and a hard hat. He was very positive about everything. Three days later, that article turned out to be very pro-ASB.

Knowing that, I'd support the idea of a "Hollywood Pot."
Someone to keep all the press releases and statements current and CORRECT.
Someone to keep an eye on the op-ed pages of the Batt and the Eagle and make sure the OP Editor recieved the correct information when incorrect information is given.
Someone to make sure lots of pictures go on the site.
Someone who would invite a radio station(s) to do a remote broadcast to get support up.
Someone willing to try and get a webcam of Stack site up just before Centerpole.
(In '98 & '99, I'd study after I got off work and the only thing on was the 24-hour Public Access BonfireCam from the Meterology tower. I'd study for hours while I watched Good Ags on the swings.)

Someone who would help remind the students to use "PC yells" or "PG-13 yells" when there's a photographer perched on the load trailer or walking through your Woods. (Silly Walton! "Beat t.u." is for visitors!)

Getting a radio station to do a remote from Burn site to get the word out would increase attendance and help by broadcasting where the best places are to park. Radio coverage might assist in some of your transportation logistics, too.

Just me adding me .02 cents where it wasn't asked.

[This message has been edited by daniel02 (edited 11/23/2005 9:42a).]

I like that "Hollywood Pot".... If I were still a student....


by the way - "stay on message", and keep the message usable by the media (ie - PG-13) are right on track. You'll find you have a much better message if it is from someone speaking clearly and cleanly. Sometimes the excitement of being "on camera" turns a normal person into a rambling freak. Makes your organization look bad and your message gets lost in the chaos.

[This message has been edited by College Station Aggie (edited 11/23/2005 9:45a).]

Even a media event say the day of centerpole---might have to provide some food to get them out--but have some events and yes, I think the need for press releases is a key element.

Food ALWAYS works. Media will come for free food. You might even get a local business/restaurant (stick with local, chains have to have corporate approval) to sponsor the food.


(sorry, have hit my daily limit....) WillD - don't think you'd get any complaining about that! (cookie and coke shacks)

[This message has been edited by College Station Aggie (edited 11/23/2005 10:11a).]

I think ASB needs to bring back the cookie and coke shacks.

I don't know whats been done the last 2 years because I'm out in the real world, but before that SB was working with a professional PR person and putting out strategic press releases and working with the local media. Hopefully this hasn't completely slipped through the cracks. Hollywood pot could be something worth looking into. You could even have a dedicated PR person (or more than 1) and use someone else as the spokesperson.

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we need a hollywood pot
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Glitter Finish!!!!

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Preshy... where'd that bling pot go...

In all seriousness, I am a firm believer in improving the PR stance of Bonfire.

To be quite honest, the guys tend to worry about getting the thing built and downplay the importance of burn night planning and public relations. That's not a criticism... that's their job. But what does need to be allowed is for someone else to worry about that kind of stuff.

IMHO, there should be a Greenpot that is designated to handle this internally (working alongside with a former student that's PR-apt) - kind of be the liaison for a Grey that's the spokesman.

The Green in charge of media would accompany all media on site and thus would be responsible for monitoring contact with Bonfire randoms. He/she would also be responsible for scheduling interviews with the media and the media Greypot/spokesperson.

This spokesperson/media Greypot needs to have a personality that would be able to handle tough questions on the spot and they would need to coordinate a vision to communicate with the Media Green and the PR-apt Former Student.

Getting this model to work is difficult. Implementing it is hard because people are hard headed and have their ways set. It would take the influence of Bonfire people that could make it happen.

I've said it before... a lot of this stuff needs to be handled through the Greens. There needs to be a Sr. Green in charge of Media, a Sr. Green in charge of Burn night, and the Head Green would oversee these two... and be in charge of the operational aspect for cut and stack. The Jr. Greens should be the support staff and the Sr. Greens should reach out and network to get the job done.

Maybe I am a little cynical but I am not sure that will be the case, though.

Getting that model to work would be impossible because it's impossible.

This has to be an entirely new structure. Many of your posts have spoken volumes about the political power struggle between greys and greens, and throwing up a "Greens can do it if Greys leave us alone" post (which you inferred, not said explicitly) just further insinuates that there's no desire to fix the problem there, but rather solve them by wrestling total power away.

This model cannot work in the long run.

You have to clean the slate. Not to mention that's not NEARLY enough people to get done what needs to be done.

Greens have enough duties as it is with the clerical aspects of this to throw an entire new event on your plates. Just because it's been juggled in the past doesn't mean that a "clearly defined juggle" will be any better.

First of all, drop the pot designations. No one gets their name engraved in posterity for this one. Then, work with a group of people who can get things done that DO NOT have other things to do (a group of students inclusive of past greys and greens who HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, plus some other advisory roles would be outstanding).

My model may not be best, but I can tell you that it won't have an invariable power struggle that WILL NOT go away as long as there are hormones involved AND it would make sure that there are clearly defined individual roles and duties for PR (and burn day).

If people out there think I'm wrong by saying all of this, please step up and tell me so. However, I don't believe I am.

Before Bonfire 2002 started, we had one student designated as a PR person, and one former student who had professional PR experience overseeing. The media really had no interest in talking to the PR student because he wasn't in charge of things, so they tracked down a grey pot and from then on there was a continuous power struggle between the grey pot (no PR experience) and the PR student (at least 3 years working for the Batt) as to what the media heard/saw. All info from the former student was just treated as a quote from a generic former student that supported what we were doing.

All that being said, I think any "plan" needs to immitate that of a political office. Have a student (and possibly former student) in charge of the PR, but find a way (maybe press conference) to have a grey pot accessible. It might also be good to have a dedicated email address for media contacts, and give them ONE person's phone number at the beggining of the year.

You might also have the designated spokesman practice answering the most likely questions that could occur. Have quotes prepared ahead of time, especially for electronic media who work in snippets of five to ten seconds. I believe the terminology currently in vogue is "sound bites." Of course you must be able to think on your feet and match the proper answer to the given question.

For the print media, you need the savviest contact you can find, as that kind of interview lasts much longer and can require more thoughtful answers. When responding to those kinds of questions, remember your overall media strategy. How do we address the recurring themes: Is your bonfire safe? Isn't carrying on the tradition disrespectful to those who died? What happens if . . . ?

When formulating this strategy, think of how the answers will resonate among various publics: college-educated non-Aggies in Houston, middle-aged high school grads in the barbershop in Bryan, soccer moms/security moms at the beauty parlor in San Angelo, etc. That can be a tough assignment for an undergraduate with limited life experience.

Political candidates use focus groups, ordinary citizens they assemble to gauge response to television ads, speech lines, etc. Perhaps the best such resource available to you might be your non-Aggie extended family: uncles, cousins, etc.

Finally, have someone designated as a media contact during crisis management periods. The courthouse in Bryan on the Friday prior to Bonfire was one of those venues.

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The media really had no interest in talking to the PR student because he wasn't in charge of things, so they tracked down a grey pot and from then on there was a continuous power struggle between the grey pot (no PR experience) and the PR student (at least 3 years working for the Batt) as to what the media heard/saw.

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Make sure the Grey's understand that there is a PR person in place for a reason and not to talk to the press without them. The media needs to be made to understand that ASB is a real organization and not just a group of students out having some fun. No media person can contact my CEO directly without him wanting them to do so. They have to go through PR and Investor Relations. PR and IR are not in charge but the media know that they have the power and authority to speak on behalf of the company. That does not mean that the CEO is inaccessible, just that he doesn't have time to answer the same questions over and over all day every day.

Is your Bonfire safe? - PR Person
Why did you decide to burn despite the burn ban? - PR person and Grey together.

The only time a Grey should be interviewed alone would be a one-off type of piece. There is no reason why they should be interviewed other than that. Hell, get a dead-Grey to be the PR contact at first. They know all there is to know about Bonfire, but do not have the responsibility to the one being built. This would help to give a sense of authority and knowledge to the PR position and could transfer to a non-Grey in later years once the media understands that the PR person is THE contact person for ASB.

Plus, the idea is to have a PR CAMPAIGN, not just a PR person.

That means being proactive.

Have a meet the media kick off--with food--have the students leadership and the engineer there--but also have done some readiness training

Buy a few of those roadside billboards.

Have press conferences when something arises. Set up regular press releases.

Have a meet local government night--same as the media one--again a mixer at site if possible.

Be proactive about questions that might evoke criticism.

Be sure that in fact all safety rules are followed all of the time. Don't allow even joking comments otherwise.

Will the Batt sell ad space of is that forbidden by the university?

More of the face book ads.


Public relations would also work to erase the perception of the university that they have to block Bonfire just because it is one hundred percent an off campus activity.

I don't know if they would attend, but behind the scenes to arrange a private tour for top university officials--away from the cameras and with public deniability.

It is a campaign, not just a person.

Goal, better attendance, and lowered resistance from the press and powers that be.

Media Cut would be good too...

AB2, I see where you're coming from on what you say...

And it's not really that there's a power struggle. The guys wanted to do it so we let them. Then it didn't get done because they don't want/have time to deal with it.

Course, that's not saying that the Greens have all the resources to do it themselves. The pot designations are good - one person can inevitably be kept accountable for whatever aspect. Having a designated "role" or whatever you want to call it doesn't mean that that person has to do it all themselves (that's virtually impossible). They are responsible for coordinating the work to get it done - meaning that they can delegate. If that means forming committees, then that's what it means.

And I don't really buy the notion that students can't get it done because of time constraints. I was able to get a LOT done in the two weeks that I had to fix what was fixed. Students just need to know how to manage time and resources as well as learn how to delegate. It's a matter of being organized and planning ahead - and most importantly using the resources that are out there (meaning the help of Former Students). Things need to be thought out in advance and the ball needs to start rolling early.

I haven't really sat down and really had time to think what you and I talked about a while back - there are definitely alternatives to the structure as it is now. I think we both agree that the way it's set up is not the best.

IMO, this is what needs to happen. There needs to be a meeting for the (outgoing and incoming) leadership to assess what went good and what went bad over the year. A retreat of sorts. This should be an annual occurrence.

Would it be useful? You bet your bottom. We're a business. Successful businesses do this all the time.

Do I think that will ever happen? ...

[This message has been edited by Aggiegolfer58 (edited 12/8/2005 6:35p).]

The above post was me, btw.